CISS6022: Cybersecurity

Week 01
Overview

Francesco Bailo

The University of Sydney

February 23, 2026

What Is This Unit About?

This unit bridges technical foundations and political dimensions of cybersecurity — designed for both engineering and non-engineering students.

Technical side (Weeks 1–6)

  • Computers & controls
  • Cryptography
  • Malware & programming
  • Network threats
  • Technical defences
  • Security operations (SOCs)

Geopolitical & social side (Weeks 7–13)

  • Power, territory & AI rivalry
  • Cyber operations & espionage
  • Hacktivism & digital repression
  • Transnational cybercrime
  • Disinformation & AI
  • Governance & democracy by design

Weekly Schedule at a Glance

Technical foundations

  1. Computers and Controls
  2. Cryptography
  3. Programming and Malware
  4. Internet and Network Threats
  5. Technical Defence and Countermeasures
  6. Security Operations Centres (SOCs)

Geopolitics & governance

  1. Geopolitical Landscape & AI Rivalry
  2. Crisis Simulation (no readings)
  3. Cyber Operations & National Security
  4. Hacktivism & Digital Repression
  5. Regulating Transnational Cybercrime
  6. Disinformation, AI & Democracy
  7. Governance, Norms & Democracy by Design

Assessments Overview

Assessment Weight Due
Cyber Incident Video Presentation 25% Week 5 — 27 Mar 2026
Crisis Simulation Participation 5% Week 8 — 22 or 23 Apr 2026
Analytical Essay 30% Week 9 — 1 May 2026
Final Exam (pen-and-paper) 40% Formal exam period

Assessment 1 — Cyber Incident Video Presentation (25%)

What: A 10-minute video about a real cyber incident of your choice

Due: 27 March 2026 (Week 5) — submit via Canvas

What to cover:

  • Why the incident matters
  • Protection mechanisms in place at the time
  • The incident and its impacts
  • Broader implications

Marking (AI allowed):

  • 40% of marks on presentation quality — clarity, engagement, structure
  • Not about accent or language fluency; about communicating clearly and confidently
  • Anything beyond 10 minutes will not be marked — practise!

Assessments 2, 3 & 4

Crisis Simulation (5%) — Week 8, 17 April

Show up, play your assigned stakeholder role (government, hacktivists, UN, etc.) in a live two-hour cyber attack scenario. Groups and context provided a few weeks in advance.

Analytical Essay (30%) — 1 May 2026

A 2,500-word reflection on the simulation: the decisions your group made, how you negotiated with other groups, and what you learned — drawing on course readings. You must attend the simulation to write this essay. AI allowed.

Final Exam (40%) — Formal exam period

2-hour pen-and-paper exam: 60 multiple choice questions (30 technical, 30 arts/policy) + 2 short-answer questions (5 points each). AI prohibited.